Vienna - Criticism against the church and pope are part of the "ritual" accompanying papal visits, Austria's Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn told reporters Thursday ahead of the three-day visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Austria starting on Friday. "Criticism, whether justified or unjustified, should have its space, but it should not disturb the joy of this visit," Schoenborn said, stressing that a celebration like this was not the time or place to discuss controversial issues.
Countering criticism of "event-Catholicism", Schoenborn stressed that celebrating was part of life. Pope Benedict XVI was above any cult stardom.
The Viennese cardinal also rejected speculation about the pope's health. On Wednesday, the pontiff had suffered only from some trouble with his voice, talk about a severe illness was "exaggerated".
